Summer Dress

My beautiful niece in the dress I made for her.  The top is knit, and the bottom is fabric, both from Hobby lobby. 

Her mother even bought her new shoes to go with the dress.  Working on a sweater for my other nine-month old niece.

Oils

I've been using Young Living essential oils.  My niece introduced me to them.  I particularly like the RC (respiratory control).  It helps a stuffy nose.  I diffuse that with Lemon and sometimes add some Geranium I had on hand.  It makes the house smell really good.  Purification helps to get rid of odors.  Digize helps with digestion.  There are many uses for all the different oils.  If you would like to know more about these oils and how you can get them, please leave a comment below, and I will get back to you.

Bacon, Cheese & Potato Chowder

This is a wonderful potato soup.  I took the recipe from a Kraft Food & family cooking magazine (Fall 2007, speedy suppers) but modified it a bit.  Instead of using a can of cream of potato soup I cut up potatoes and put the cheese right in when cooking the soup.  I also use some hash browns with the potatoes.

3 C fat free milk
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) condensed cream of potato soup (or use cut-up potatoes)
2 C frozen Southern-style hash browns
1 C Kraft 2% Milk Shredded Reduced Fat Sharp Cheddar Cheese (or cheese of your choice)
2 slices Oscar Mayer Bacon, crisply cooked, drained and crumbled
1/4 C thinly sliced green onions

MIX milk and soup in large saucepan. Stir in hash browns.  Bring to boil on high heat, stirring occasionally.  Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 10 in., stirring frequently.

LADLE into 6 soup bowls.

TOP evenly with the cheese, bacon and onions.

Makes 6 servings, 1 cup each.

 

Summer Pics

Sunset and flower pictures from a friend's farm.  Actually she is my niece's mother-in-law.  They have a home in the country, and her flowers are beautiful.  She is also a very good cook, does catering.  It was a warm summer night.  How I love summer! 

I'm trying to make the pictures a little larger.  Not sure if this will work.  It's been a long time since I posted so trying to make up for that.  There are so many other things to do with working, projects, etc.

Winter Storms

 

 

 

 

Hopefully we've had the last of the snow for the season.  The tree leaning over is the neighbors after a snow/ice storm we had.  I am so glad to see signs of spring.  Most of the snow is gone.  Today it is raining.  They predicted an ice storm but thankfully we didn't get it.  We've even had some 60 degree days with sun which is wonderful.

 

The gardens and sculpture center has beautiful displays of flowers, orchids, waterfall, green plants, etc.  It is always so refreshing to walk in their greenhouse.  They have a butterfly exhibit every year along with other exhibits, a wonderful café and gift shop.

 

I finished the mittens yesterday while waiting for my car at the shop.  The lady waiting next to me said, "I hope those are not for this year anymore, but next!"  I certainly hope so too.  I had started these quite a while ago.  The pattern is from a little booklet called Learn to Knit.  I bought it for 25 cents so you know how old it is!

 

 

Just went to get a sample of paint for the bathroom.  Want a blue/gray, but not too dark since that bathroom is small.

 



Etsy Shop Open!

Check out my new Etsy shop, Heart2heartcards, where I sell my greeting cards, quilts and home accessories!  I am so excited it is finally active.  Hope you like it.

Quilt and more cards

Sailboat quilt I am finishing.  My friend gave me quite a bit of scraps she had which I used to make the bottom of the boats and sails.  It's turning out quite nicely!  Not sure who it is for yet.

A card suitable for a wedding.  Inside is blank or can be personalized.  Envelope included!

Handmade card suitable for shower or wedding.  Inside is blank (lined) and can be personalized.

Cute card with turtle decal suitable for child or teen.  Again, it is blank inside but can be personalized.  Look for upcoming Etsy shop to open!